Science parks in China: a cautionary exploration

Science parks have long been in fashion, originally in the US, then in Europe, and now in the rest of the world. They promise much in terms of growth and employment achieved through providing new, high technology companies with an ideal location. Clustered in pleasant surroundings alongside a university or research centre, entrepreneurs are able to transform their ideas into innovations. Yet, despite all the enthusiasm, there is little evidence that science parks work as their supporters say, and growing evidence that they do not. There may be benefits, but perhaps for those who can lay claim to a role in a particular model of innovation, rather than for the firms that occupy the science parks. This paper considers the creation of the Silicon Valley model, and then speculates on the implications for China of its uncritical acceptance in science parks.

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